Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between EGFR mutation and computed tomography (CT) features in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. METHODS: One hundred and ninety two lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgery were retrospectively included in this study. Examination of EGFR gene mutation was performed on all resected tumor samples. The 192 recruited lung adenocarcinoma patients were divided into groups according to EGFR mutation status: patients with mutations in exons 18-21 (effective mutated, n = 61) and non-mutated (n = 131). The clinical characteristics and lung CT imaging features of the two groups were recorded and compared. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the independent risk factors relevant to effective EGFR gene mutation. RESULTS: The independent risk factors relevant to effective EGFR mutation were evaluated by logistic regression test. The results indicated that female gender (odds ratio [OR] 3.23), lung CT features of lymphangitis carcinomatosa (OR 2.66), semi-solid lesion density (OR 3.56), and spicule sign (OR 1.61) were independent risk factors relevant to EGFR mutation. CONCLUSION: Female patients with lung CT features of lymphangitis carcinomatosa, semi-solid lesion density, and spicule sign are more prone to harbor EGFR gene mutations and are more likely to benefit from targeted therapy.